Pakistan Minister Stumbles on Live TV as Sky News Anchor Exposes Terror Links Amid Indian Strikes
Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar found himself struggling to respond during a live Sky News interview when anchor Yalda Hakim confronted him with his own government’s record of supporting terror groups.
The exchange occurred just hours after India carried out precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Operation Sindoor: India Responds to Pahalgam Attack
In response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly civilians, India launched a calibrated military operation early Wednesday.
The strikes, part of ‘Operation Sindoor,’ targeted nine locations and aimed to destroy infrastructure used by terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Tarar Denies Existence of Terror Camps, Hakim Pushes Back
During his appearance on Sky News, Tarar accused India of targeting civilian areas.
However, anchor Yalda Hakim refuted this claim, stating, “The Indian armed forces have said that they only targeted terrorist camps and not Pakistani military facilities.”
Tarar responded by denying the presence of any terrorist infrastructure. “Let me make it very clear, there are no terrorist camps in Pakistan. Pakistan is a victim of terrorism. We are the frontline state against terrorism,” he said.
Pakistan’s Own Defence Minister Contradicts Tarar
Hakim pointed out the contradiction in Tarar’s claims, reminding him of a recent statement by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
“On my programme, just a week ago, your Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted that Pakistan has for decades had a policy of funding, backing, using terrorist groups as proxies in the country,” Hakim said.
She continued, “In 2018, President Donald Trump cut military aid to Pakistan because he accused Pakistan of playing a double game.”
Hakim further pressed the issue by referencing former leaders. “So when you say there are no terrorist camps in Pakistan, that is going against what Gen Parvez Musharraf said, what Benazir Bhutto said and what your defence minister said just a week ago.”
Tarar’s Defence Falls Flat Amid Direct Facts
Faced with these statements, Tarar reiterated, “Pakistan is the guarantor of world peace,” and extended an invitation to Hakim to visit Pakistan.
“I have been to Pakistan,” Hakim replied. “And we know that Osama Bin Laden was discovered in Abbottabad in Pakistan.”
Tarar persisted, calling India a “provocator and aggressor” and claimed that Pakistan was preparing an appropriate response to the missile strikes.
Indian Strikes Kill Terrorists; Pakistan Claims Civilian Casualties
The Pakistani government reported that at least eight people were killed and 35 injured in the Indian missile attacks across cities in Punjab and PoK. Meanwhile, Indian military sources stated that around 80 terrorists were neutralised during the operation.
Shortly after the strikes, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned India’s action as an “act of war” and warned of a “befitting reply.”
Hakim Exposes More Contradictions
Hakim revisited past events to counter Tarar’s claims further. She mentioned, “Bilawal Bhutto told me a few days ago that funding and backing terrorist organisations have been and are part of Pakistan’s history.”
When Tarar argued, “Post 9/11 was the frontline state in eliminating terrorism,” Hakim quickly interjected with a stark reminder: “I have been to Pakistan, and we know that Osama Bin Laden was discovered in Abbottabad in Pakistan.”
India’s Retaliatory Strikes and Ongoing Tensions
India’s strikes, targeting nine locations in Pakistan and PoK, came as retaliation for the deadly Pahalgam attack. The Indian government has stated that only terror infrastructure was targeted, while Pakistan continues to allege civilian casualties.
As tensions between the two nuclear neighbours escalate, the international community is closely watching developments following the high-profile military and diplomatic confrontations triggered by these events.
